Answered: The Top 5 Most Asked Questions on Back Pain

August 29, 2018

Back pain affects millions of people in the UK every year, so it’s little wonder that many of our patients have unanswered questions when it comes to what they can do to relieve the pain. Following the advice of Dr Nate Bogedain, doctor of Chiropractic at Proback Clinic Victoria, in an interview with You magazine, we’re answering some of your burning questions.

1. How can I relieve back pain quickly?

For long-term sufferers, dealing with back pain on a daily basis can be demoralising, and can stop us from doing all the activities we previously loved to do. Arguably the worst thing to do if you’re suffering with back pain is to stop moving entirely. Although resting has its benefits, our body requires movement in order to stay at its healthiest – mentally and physically. It’s advisable to avoid pushing yourself beyond your limits, but even just walking can help to relieve aches and pains.

2. What can cause pain in the lower back while walking?

If you’re experiencing pain while walking, it’s unlikely that your back is actually causing the problem. Although conditions like sciatica can cause pain that extends from the lower back into the legs, if you’ve not suffered with these kinds of symptoms before perhaps look at your walking style, your knees, hips or pelvis. As the lower half of your body supports you as you walk, if you’re suffering from pain in any of these areas it may be that you are overcompensating in some way to relieve the pain. If you feel like your walking style has adapted to cope with any pain you’re experiencing it is quite likely you’ll suffer from back pain due to this change. In this case, the only way to relieve your back pain is to treat the originally affected area by seeing a qualified professional who can assess your gait.

3. What are the best mattresses for back pain?

Making sure you’re regularly having a good night’s sleep if you’re suffering from back pain is essential – sleep contributes significantly towards health and healing. As a result, it’s worth baring in mind that if on average you’re sleeping for 8 hours a night, that you’re spending one third of your life in bed – this makes finding the right mattress all the more important and one that should be an investment in your health. The most important aspect of a good mattress is even weight distribution, whether it’s firm or soft should be your individual preference. Traditional spring mattresses can wear much quicker than other mattress technologies, so if you want to invest in one that will have a long life it may be best to pick something else. The great thing is, a lot of mattress companies nowadays offer trials of up to 100 nights for you to decide if that mattress is right for you!

4. What is the best sleeping position if you have back pain?

Side lying while sleeping is ultimately the best position to lie in while sleeping as it helps to evenly distribute your weight. Lying on the right side has been shown to be slightly better that lying on your left – as it contributes towards a healthier heart rate and function of the vagal tone (an integral part of your central nervous system that plays a vital role in maintaining overall wellness in the body).

5. What are the best painkillers for back pain?

This is a question we’re asked everyday as most people who suffer from back pain will want to take painkillers to help them function throughout the day. Pain is an important signal to the brain that something in the body is not functioning correctly and needs to be fixed. Masking pain with painkillers will not fix the problem or restore proper function to your body. If you’ve been prescribed painkillers, or you’re taking over the counter medication for your back pain, never take over the recommended dose as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. If the pain remains the same or worse after a few days, it’s important to be evaluated by a healthcare professional.